By: Mike Glesinger
On the hottest week of the summer, the Alliance First National Bank-Omaha Spartans were the hottest team in the Area 7 Senior tournament. The Spartans defended their 2019 Area title, defeating Ogallala 14-2 , Tuesday at Bower/Shankland Field.
Alliance began the tournament as the #2 seed and opened with a 10-2 win over Sidney last Friday, while Ogallala defeated Chadron. Saturday, #1 seed Gering defeated Chadron 7-3 while Alliance was a winner over Ogallala 4-0. Sunday saw Ogallala defeat Sidney 7-3 and in a showdown of top seeds, Alliance defeated Gering 4-2, which moved the Spartans into the title game. Monday, Ogallala was a winner over Gering in a close, competitive game 7-6, which set up the Championship round on Tuesday. Alliance got off to a quick start, scoring 6 runs in the top of the first and never trailed. Ogallala threatened in the first, before the Spartans turned a double play to end the inning. Ogallala got on the board scoring a run in the 3rd, to make it 6-1, but Alliance answered scoring 4 runs in the 4th and adding 4 more in the top of the 5th. Ogallala scored a run in the bottom of the 5th, before Alliance finished the game on an infield fly to clinch the 14-2 win and the Area 7 Championship.
Chase King went 4 1/3 innings on the mound,giving up 2 runs and 5 hits with 6 strikeouts. Jacob Callen finished the game getting the final 2 outs. For the Spartans Mario Garza had 3 hits and drove in 4 runs. AJ Escamilla and Caeson Clarke each had 2 hits and 4 runs batted in. Aydan Halligan had 3 hits for Ogallala.
With the win Alliance advances to the Class B Senior State Tournament in Crete, Ne. which begins on July 31 and will run thru August 4. Alliance has record of 40-11 on the season.
Team members include..Brantz Halouska, Jacob Callen, Vic Hinojosa, Caeson Clarke, Kellen Muhr, Mario Garza, Chance Crowe, AJ Escamilla, Chase Boyer, Chase King, Espen Lanik, Eli Blanco, Drew Romick, Tyzen Brown, Kysen walker, Seth Morrison, Landen Crowe and Nick Wright. Head Coach, Carlos Palomo. Assistant Coaches, Jerry Garza, JJ Garza and Adrian Gonzalez.
KCOW, 1400-AM-92.5 FM will broadcast the games from Crete.